Rocket launcher



March 13, 1951 E. c. WALKER 2,545,217

ROCKET LAUNCHER Filed July 18, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 G u m l w I Ulli; l

g i j I a E Q M f INVENTOR EARL 6. WALKER ATTORNEY March 13, 1951 E. c. WALKER ROCKET LAuNcx-IER 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed July 18, 1945 Mm m m @s mw mM m W r 6. .,Ql b W. A E

By QMLL Patented Mar. 13, 1595i ROCKET LAUNCHER arl C. Walker, Altadena, Calif., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy,

Application July 1s, 1945, serial No. 605,651

(o1. sea-1.7)

3 claims. 1

This invention relates to rocket launchers and more particularly to a launcher of novel construction in which a plurality of rockets is fed automatically in succession into firing position on a launcher track is response to successive ring of rockets from the track.

One object of the invention resides in the provision of an automatic launcher having an escapement mechanism for controlling the feeding of rockets to a launcher track and which serves as a support and guide for the -rocket being fired.

Another object is to provide a rocket launcher of the character described, in which the escapement mechanism is so arranged that the weight of the rounds of rockets in the storage space or magazine does not materially elect the engaging pressure between the round on the launcher track and the guide means for such round, so that the number of rounds in the magazine has'no appreciable effect on the discharge of rockets from the launcher track.

A further object is to provide an automatic rocket launcher which is compact and occupies only slightly more space than the rockets which it carries.

Still another object is to provide an automatic rocket launcher which may be tilted to different angles of elevation without alecting its operation.

An additional object is to provide a rocket launcher which is a further development of the launcher disclosed in a co-pending application of Lorenzo A. Roberts Serial N o. 610,655, led August 13. 1945.

Another object is to provide an automatic rocket launcher particularly adapted for launching rotating rockets of the type disclosed in a copending application of C. El. Weinland, Serial No. 564,337, iiled November 20, 1944, but which may be used for non-rotating rockets, the essential difference being that the launcher rail or track is longer when the launcher is used for non-rotating rockets.

Another object is to provide a rocket launcher in which rounds of rockets are automatically fed by gravity into ring position on a launcher track from a magazine located above the rack.

Another object is to provide a rocket launcher which may be made to operate automatically or semi-automatically, l,as desired; that is, which is operable `selectively-to Vnre each round as fast as it moves into launching position, or to require closing of a ring circuit, or the like, by the operating crew each time it is desired to re a round.

IThese and otherobjects of the invention may be better understood by reference to the accom panying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of the new launcher;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the launcher shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view in detail of the escapement mechanism for controlling feeding of the rockets to the launching track, parts of the mechanism being broken away for illustrative purposes;

Fig. 4 is a rear end view of the escapement mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear end view of the launcher shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the launcher shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 7 is a front view of a modified form of the new launcher, and

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, the launcher shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, comprises a base frame I0 having cross members I2 and longitudinal members I3 made of angle iron. The rear cross member I 2 is provided with a pair of laterally extending mounting lugs I4 adapted to t in suitable xtures (not shown) which permit movement of the launcher frame I0 round the axis defined by the mounting lugs. Intermediate the ends of the longitudinal members I3 is a transversely extending mounting member I5 in the form of an inverted channel and which is adapted to receive a xture Ia adjustable in any suitable manner to elevate or depress the launcher. If desired, the mounting arrangement used for the rocket launcher disclosed in said co-pending application, Serial No. 610,655 may be used and the launcher herein disclosed and the aforementioned launcher may be interchangeable.

-At the rear end portion of the base frame Ill is a pair of prependicular posts I6. A second pair of perpendicular posts I 'I is mounted on the frame over the mounting channel I5, that is, intermediate the ends of the frame. The front end portion of the frame Ill is provided with upwardly extending bracing posts I8 which curve rearwardly and join the intermediate posts I l. At their upper ends the intermediate posts I1 are joined by a cross member I9. It will be observed that the upper portion of one of the posts of each pair I 6, I 1 and I8 is located a substantial distance inwardly from the corresponding side of the frame I0, while the lower portion of each of these posts is olset outwardly toward the side of the I8. Secured to the journal member 24 adjacent each bearing 22 is an end yoke 26 (Fig. 4). The lower arms of the end yokes. 26 are joined by. ya longitudinally extending guide rod 21.-

The cross members I2 of the base frame support a bottom guide rail 28 intermediatethe lon-V gitudinal members I3, while the posts I6, I1 and I8 opposite the offset post portions support a side-` guide rail 29. The guide rails 28 and 29, together with the guide rod 21, deiine points on a common circle which are approximately 120 degrees apart and form a rocket launching track. More-particularly, the rocket (illustrated inoutline at A in Figs. and 6) is supported along the bottom on the guide rail 28 when the rocket is in ring position, and along its sides by the guide rod 21 and side rail 29. The rocket A may be of any desired construction, such asthat disclosed in a co-pending application of C. E. Weinland, Serial No 564,337, filed November 20, 1944.

Above the guide rail 29, the forward and intermediate posts IG and I1 are connected by a tubular stop bar 30. The end yokes 26 of the escapementmechanism have upwardlyy and inwardly extending arms between which a restraining roller 3l is journaled. lThe arrangement of the yokes 26, which carry the guide rod `21 and restraining roller 3|, is such that when the-guiderod 21 bears against the side of a rocket resting between the rails 28 and 29, the space between the restraining roller 3l and the stop bar- 30`is insuicient to admit an overlying rocket B into position on the lowermost rocket, as shown in Figs. 5 and Y6.

The pairs of posts I3, I1 and I 8 denne the sides of a vertical slot extending the length of the guide rails, the slot forming a rocket magazine; The two rear posts I6 are connected by a magazine end channel 32 adapted to receive the rear end portions of a -plurality of rocket rounds stackedY one above the other in the magazine slot. The end channel 32 terminates at its lower end above and clear of a rocket resting in the launching track dened by guide rod `21 and guide rails'28 and 29. However, the channel32 has a central, internal rib 33 which projects below the lower end of the channel so that the rib is engaged by the rear end of a rocket in the launching track, thereby preventing rearward displacement of the rocket in the track when the launcher is elevated.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the escapement mechanism 23 is providedintermediate its ends with a lever 34 connected to the journal member 24, the lower or free end of the lever being forked to receive the guide rod 21. The lever 34 has a laterally extending arm- `340e to which the upper end of a tension spring 35 is connected,

- track, and to turn they escapement mechanismclockwise (Fig. 6) when the rocket is fired, thereby moving the-restraining roller 3| outwardly-a sufficient distance to permit the next-rocket B 4 the magazine to fall down on the launcher track into firing position.

In the operation of the launcher, the rockets are loaded into the top of the magazine through the open space between the upright standards I1 and the rear channel member 32, by inserting the noses of the rockets between the uprights I1 and then moving the rockets backso that their tailends are in contact A'with the skid rail 33 within the rear channel 32, the rst rocket being lowered to the guide rails 28 and 29 of the ring chamber, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The second rocket B rests clear of the rst or lowermost rocket and is supported by the restraining roller 3| and the vstopbar 38, while the other rockets tiered Vin the magazine are supported by the second rocket.v Y i Y 'Y 'Y As indicated heretofore, the lowermost rocket, which is on the rail 28, is engaged along one side by the guide rod 21 of the escapement mechanism and holds this rod outwardly against the tension of spring 35. Asa result, the escapement roller 3I isheld inwardly V.in the magazine so that the clearance between this roller and the stop bar 38 is smaller than the rocket diameter, whereby the second rocket B and those above it are supported jointly by the stop bar 38 and the roller 3 i When the lowermost rocket A is fired, as by electrically igniting its propellent charge, it moves forwardly along the launcher base and is guided in its initial forward movement by the guide rod 21 and the rails 28 and 28. When the rocket leaves the launcher, the guide rod 21 is no. longer engaged andV is free to move inwardly under theacton of spring 35, which turns the escapement mechanism 23-in a-counterclockwise direction, as seen `in Fig. 5.. Consequently, the

roller 3l moves outwardly and permits the second rocket, which previously rested thereon, to fall down on the guide rail 28. During this downward movement of the second rocket,` it engages the guide rod 21 and displaces the latter outwardly' so as to move roller 3l back to its innermost position against the action of .spring 35. Thus, the roller 3| is now in positionV to engage 'the third rocket and, in combination with stop bar 30, :prevent the third rocket from dropping Ainto the launching track. This action' continues Vuntil a-ll now Patent Number 2,464,181, are' electrically ignited. More particularly, as shown in said co-V pendingapplications, `eachrocket is -provided at its rear end portionwith an insulated `contact' ring and-also a grounded contact ring. TheV rockets, in dropping tothe guiderail 28, are engaged on their insulatedzand'groundedlcontact rings by respective insulated and groundedzcontacts (not shown) on. the launcher.. The contact arrangement is not illustrated'herein for the reason that it formsn'o part of the presentinvention. However, the Contact arrangement similar to that disclosed inaco-pending application -oi C.V C. Lauritsen, Serial No. 481,645, iiled April 2, 1943, nowPatentNumber 2,469,350 may be used'.

It will be understood'that the'electrical contacts are suitably connectedfvwitha ring circuit which, if continuously energized, automatically lires the rockets as they vfallto the guide rails28 'and 29;V

If; however; the ring' circuit is-arranged se that it can be energized momentarily, each rocketmay be red individually.

In the construction illustrated, the rocket launcher is not appreciably larger than the rockets which it fires, and the escapement mechanism, or at least the guide rod 21, is equal in length to the guidev rails 2S and 29 so that the rocket clears all rails simultaneously. This arrangement is satisfactory for use with multiple jet rotating rockets. If it is desired to use the launcher for non-rotating rockets, such as barrage rockets, it is desirable to lengthen the launcher track; otherwise, the construction may be the same.

It will be observed that the framework I is open and that the track comprising guide rod 21 and guide rails 23, 29 permits ready escape of the rocket blast so that there is no appreciable reaction on the launcher. Accordingly, a very light mounting is sufficient to hold the launcher in its original'position during iiring of all the rounds. The launcher may be adjusted in ele- Vation to different iiring positions by means 0f the mounting xture la which serves to tilt the frame i9 on the mounting lugs I4.

By reason of the oscillating escapement mechanism 23 for controlling the feeding of the rockets to the launcher track, a substantially uniform pressure is maintained on each rocket in the launcher track, regardless of the number of overlying rockets in the magazine, and this pressure may be controlled or varied as desired by adjusting the tension of spring 35.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the launcher there shown comprises a base plate 4U which may be made of sheet stock in the form of an inverted channel, the channel 44 being closed at its ends by end plates 42 inserted flush with said ends (Fig. 8) and welded in position. Mounted on top of the base plate 49 is a rail 43 occupying about half the width of the base plate. The rail is likewise made of sheet stock and has a pair of longitudinally extending side flanges 44 in the form of open loops.

Brackets 45 that form the near and far ends of a rocket magazine are suitably secured to the base plate 4@ at one side and a portion of the top as shown. The magazine-end brackets 45 project upwardly and outwardly from the base plate and in parallel relation to each other the upper edges of the brackets being tangent to the upper edge of the inner flange 44 of the rail. Mounted on the end brackets 45 at the front and rear end portions of the base plate are guides 46 which engage and guide the front and rear end portions respectively, of rockets A, B, etc., indicated by dotted outline in Fig. 7. The arrangement of the end brackets 45 and their guides 46 is such that the rockets tend to roll into the rail member 43.

At the front and rear ends of the base plate 49 are escapement support arms 41. The lower ends of the arms are secured to the end plates 42 at one side of the rail member 43, whence they extend upwardly from the base plate 49 and then curve inwardly over rail 43. An escapement mechanism 48 is mounted between the support arms 41 and comprises a pair of rods 49 and 59 extending parallel to base plate 40 and joined at their ends and intermediate their ends by arcuately shaped connecting members 5|. Bearing blocks 52 are welded to the two end connecting members 5l and have central openings for receiving journal lugs 53 on the inner sides of the two support arms 41. The journal lugs 53 are preferably flattened, and the bearing openings communicate with slots 54 so located that in one position of the escapement mechanism 48 it may be entirely removed from or mounted on the support arms. The location of the axis of rotation of the escapement mechanism 48 is above a plane common to the two rods 49 and 50.

The rod 49 is located so that it engages the upper surface of a rocket A resting in the track 43 between flanges 44. When the rod 49 is thus engaged by a rocket in the track, it holds the rod 59 in the path of the lowermost rocket B resting on the side brackets 45. That is, the rod 59 is held in a lowered position so that the distance between this rod and the upper edge of the side bracket 45 is insuilicient to allow a rocket to move from the bracket downwardly into the launcher track. However, when the rocket A in the track 43 is fired, the rod 49 is disengaged and allows the rod 50 to move upwardly about the trunnions 53, whereby the lowermost rocket on the side brackets 45 rolls downward along the brackets and into the launcher track. As the rocket moves into the launcher track, it engages and elevates the rod 49 so that rod 59 is again depressed to its lowermost position into the path of the next rocket on the side brackets, thereby eectively preventing this rocket from moving down into the launcher track. This opration is repeated until all of the rockets on the side brackets 45 have been launched.

It will be understood that the launcher shown in Fig. 'Tis adapted to lire rockets of the type described in connection with the launcher illustrated in Figs. 1 through 6. That is, the launcher track 43 is provided with grounded and insulated contacts (not shown) engageable with the usual grounded and insulated tail rings, respectively, on the rocket when the latter is in the track. The guides 46 are so located that each rocket is caused to roll into the track with the grounded and insulated tail rings engaging the corresponding contacts on the track. A portion of the track 43 near the rear end thereof may be cut away so that the insulated tail ring on the rocket engages only the live contact on the track. It is to be understood that the insulated and grounded contacts on the track are connected across a current source (not shown) by suitable wiring which may include a firing switch. Thus, when the firing switch is held closed, the rockets will be red in quick succession from the track 43 until the supply of rockets on the side brackets 45 is exhausted. Alternatively, the ring switch may be alternately closed and opened to fire successive rockets at any desired time interval. In either case, the oscillating escapement mechanism 48 serves to control the discharge of the rockets from side brackets 45 into the launcher track and prevents the adjacent rocket on the side bracket from interfering with the ring of a rocket in the track. It will be observed that the rod 49 acts as a guide for the rocket being fired from the track and maintains a substantially uniform pressure on this rocket regardless of the number of rockets on the side brackets 45.

The base plate 4l) may be provided with suitable i'lttings (not shown) so that it may be mounted on the tripod of a machine gun, or the base plate may be mounted on other suitable supports. If desired, additional rockets may be loaded into the outer side of the magazine, dened by the side brackets 45 and guides 45, during firing of the rockets from the launcher track, so that the ring may be continuous.

1. 'A rocketlaiinehercomprsing sa 'ir'anewoik h'avi-ng-faibaseand po'sts ion opposite: sidesfof fthe base kto define a 'vertical 444magazine slot 'fonreceiving-fa stack -l of vrockets, `a bottom 1 guide -rail on-said hase andA iclening-thel 10W-erf extremity of saidslot, a-side--guideerail on said posts.` at oneiside ofA the-slot, a stopra-illabove the guide rail --a-nd" mou-r-itecl-4 'on'v the posts, and zan escapementmechani-sm mountedlon-said-posts on the opposite side of '-Ytlie slot from lsaid Y side guide rail, the escapement mechanism @including'a pair of frods and -means foi` *mounting the' rodsforA os- 2cillatin-g vabout a' common center, one of the -rods 'being engageable 'withU :a rocketv` resting` aga-inst :said bottomand side guide rai1to-i`orm vthere- Withaftrackforfgiding the rocket, the-other of said'V rods cooperatingV with said -stop-rai1' to restrain d'ownward'movement of rockets-stacked fin said-slotwhilea rocketisnfthe track.A

2.' A' construction' as set'forth in'claini, 1, in

which the' escapement mechanism and said `gu-ide rails"ai'elcoextensive in-length. Y 3: A rocket :launchercomprising a base,- upright-posts on the basede'hing a magazine slot for receiving asta-ck of rockets above thebase,

a rocket on said bottom guide-frail,` whereby` the 'rod andguide rails form a launching track,v `the uescalcement -mechanism- Y also having a vrestraining bar-'co-acting `with saidV stop-har to secure ward-1yinto position for admitting a rocket from the -maga-zine slot into the launching track,- Said 'rod b'eingengageable by-'a lrocket'i'lrioving into the launch-ing track to Vdisplace'the restraining -bar inw-ardhr` into its rocket restraining -position against the action of said biasing means.

EARL C. WALKER.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing referencesare of record'inthe le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER` REFERENCES vCoast.:Artillery` Publication, page 13, March- April, 1944. 

